How Important Is It To Protect CIA Agent Identity?

[The Duke]

I wonder if Wakie will be issuing an apology for stating that Libby had blown the cover of an undercover agent?  Since Libby has effectively been cleared of that and Fitzgerald had not even sought to bring charges, I think it is in order to ask Wakie to retract these accusations.

I wonder if John Ford paid attention to Fitzgerald's statement wherein he basically stated that the reason he couldn't determine the extent to which Libby was involved was because he perjured himself.

Also, is anyone on here really arrogant enough to believe that Scooter Libby or any other member of the White House staff reads this msg board?

Obviously they don't read the boards, or they wouldn't have picked Harriet Miers.

Also worthy of note is that Fitzgerald has admitted that the discolsure of Plame's identity was not a criminal act regardless of whether the perjury charge sticks.

[Wakie]

Also worthy of note is that Fitzgerald has admitted that the discolsure of Plame's identity was not a criminal act regardless of whether the perjury charge sticks.

"It's important that a CIA officer's identity be protected, that it be protected not just for the officer, but for the nation's security," the prosecutor said. "Mr. Libby was the first official known to have told a reporter."

Sorry, but that doesn't exactly sound like "oh, it isn't a criminal act" to me.

[The Duke]

Also worthy of note is that Fitzgerald has admitted that the discolsure of Plame's identity was not a criminal act regardless of whether the perjury charge sticks.

"It's important that a CIA officer's identity be protected, that it be protected not just for the officer, but for the nation's security," the prosecutor said. "Mr. Libby was the first official known to have told a reporter."

Sorry, but that doesn't exactly sound like "oh, it isn't a criminal act" to me.

If she is not classified as a covert operative, and even Fitzgerald has not suggested she was in his indictment, then it doesn't matter at all whether Libby disclosed the information first, or at all, or not at all. It is only a criminal act if a relevant statute has been violated.  Violating your sensibilities is not sufficient.

[J. J.]

There is another problem with Wakie's logic.  One of the sources for Novak's report that Plame worked for the CIA was the Central Intelligence Agency.

Here is the link to the Column:

http://www.townhall.com/opinion/columns/robertnovak/2003/07/14/160881.html

Here is quote from the WP story:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/26/AR2005072602069_pf.html

Undercover operatives should be protected; the CIA should not be giving their names to reporters.  They cover should not be that they work at CIA headquarters.